XN000022-1992-04-29 — Page 11

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1992

BILL TO PROHIBIT USE OF ADVERTISING VEHICLES

* * * *

FOR

A BILL TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF VEHICLES USED PREDOMINANTLY DISPLAYING COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT} (NO. 2) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE 17 ADVERTISING VEHICLES NOW OPERATING WITH PERMITS SERVED TRANSPORT PURPOSE AND COULD AGGRAVATE ROAD CONGESTION.

NO

THE ADVERTISING VEHICLES ARE USUALLY ADAPTED FROM FLAT BED TRUCKS AND CARRYING LARGE BILLBOARDS WHICH ARE COLOURFUL AND OFTEN BRIGHTLY ILLUMINATED BY FLOODLIGHTS OR SPOTLIGHTS WHICH MAY THE ATTENTION OF DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS.

ΤΟ

ACHIEVE MAXIMUM ADVERTISING EFFECT, THEY MAY BE DRIVEN SLOWLY IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS WHERE ALREADY HEAVY.

DISTRACT

PARKED OR TRAFFIC IS

ROAD SPACE,

"GIVEN THE INCREASING LEVEL OF CONGESTION ON OUR IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF THESE VEHICLES.

"ANY NEED FOR MOBILE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING IS ALREADY MET BY OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT SUCH AS BUSES, TAXIS AND TRAMS," HE SAID.

IT IS PROPOSED HOWEVER THAT PERMISSION MAY BE GIVEN FOR ADVERTISING VEHICLES TO OPERATE IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES WHERE THEY MAY BE NEEDED FOR CERTAIN NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, SUCH AS ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OR APPROVED CHARITY PURPOSES.

THE BILL EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO ISSUR A PERMIT ONLY FOR THE DISPLAY OF NON-COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING AND SUBJECT TO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.

IT ALSO PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF PERMITS NOW IN FORCE UNTIL THEY EXPIRE.

MR LEUNG SAID THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD CONSIDERED THE PROPOSAL AND SUPPORTED IT ON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GROUNDS. THE OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL HAD ALSO BEEN BRIEFED AND THE MATTER HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE TRADE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS ARE SATISFIED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN RESPECT OF THESE VEHICLES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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